The U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) has hit the pause button on most of its public communication efforts, following instructions from the new administration. This temporary freeze has impacted several health agencies, including the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), the Food and Drug Administration, and the National Institutes of Health.
One noticeable change is that the CDC didn’t release its regular Morbidity and Mortality Weekly Report (MMWR), a publication that has been a trusted source of public health information for decades. It’s typically published every Thursday and has long been considered the “voice of the CDC.” The agency described the MMWR as its go-to platform for sharing important health updates with the public.
The HHS explained this pause as a brief measure to allow the incoming administration to set up new review processes and establish priorities. They assured it’s not something to worry about—at least not yet. However, some staff members mentioned it could be an issue if it drags on or starts interfering with day-to-day operations.
Travel for health officials has also been put on hold. In an internal meeting, CDC staff were told that all work-related travel is now off the table, even if it had been approved earlier. Speaking engagements and conferences? Canceled too. The travel freeze will stay in place until further notice, leaving many health officials grounded.
Another major shift is the halt of any collaboration with the World Health Organization (WHO). This comes after former President Donald Trump signed an executive order withdrawing the United States from the WHO. Trump criticized the global health agency for its handling of the COVID-19 pandemic, accusing it of political bias and failure to adopt necessary reforms. He argued that the U.S. was being taken advantage of in its relationship with the organization.
These changes were announced shortly after the new administration took office, with internal memos and staff calls outlining the specifics. For now, health agencies are focusing on emergency communications and critical health updates. While the pause is described as temporary, many are waiting to see how long it will last and what it will mean for the flow of public health information in the weeks ahead.
